Explore the Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator
Place a cell in a hypotonic, isotonic or hypertonic solution and watch water cross the membrane while a live graph tracks the cell's volume.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator?
Place a cell in a hypotonic, isotonic or hypertonic solution and watch water cross the membrane while a live graph tracks the cell's volume. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Doctors choose IV fluids that are isotonic to blood for exactly this reason, and this is also why plant cells rely on a rigid cell wall to resist bursting in hypotonic conditions.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Water moves from a region of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration (osmosis).
In a hypotonic solution a cell swells and may lyse (burst); in a hypertonic solution it shrinks (crenates).
In an isotonic solution there is no net water movement and the cell stays the same size.
Load the Hypotonic preset and watch the cell swell.
Load the Hypertonic preset and watch it shrink.
Raise permeability and see how much faster the same outcome happens.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Biology learners
Biology students and teachers who want to explore living systems, populations and genetics interactively and safely.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Load the Hypertonic preset and watch it shrink. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
Why do red blood cells burst in pure water?
Pure water has almost no solute, so water rushes into the cell by osmosis until the membrane can no longer hold it.
What does isotonic mean?
The solute concentration outside the cell equals the concentration inside, so there is no net water movement.
Is the Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator free to use?
Yes. The Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Biology group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 4 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator?
1. In the Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator, use the controls to change External solute concentration, Membrane permeability, Temperature, Preset. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator, pick an option such as Hypotonic, Isotonic, Hypertonic to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator, press "Check cell volume" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Load the Hypotonic preset and watch the cell swell. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Cell Membrane & Osmosis Simulator responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Water moves from a region of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration (osmosis).
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Place a cell in a hypotonic, isotonic or hypertonic solution and watch water cross the. Free to use.
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